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Regular Business Meeting January 16, 2023
REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2023
Mayor Rob Lessen opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was stated by all present. The roll call was taken and all members of the City Council were present. The minutes from the previous meeting were presented to the City Council. Carma Burns stated that under Employee Evaluations topic to table, Carma stated that she abstained from the vote. Also, Carma addressed the time for the Special Meeting. In the minutes it shows 6:30 but was the motion for 6:00 p.m.? Bette Lessen stated that yes, the time to begin the Special Meeting is 6:00 and that is will be corrected. Richard Kerley made the motion to accept the corrected minutes. Howard Camp seconds the motion. The motion was approved. The mayor presented the evenings agenda. Howard Camp requested to add John Austin to Item E) Employee Evaluations. Also, under Unfinished Business Item H) Bids on 201 W. South St as added. Gary Pommier made the motion to accept the revised agenda. Richard Kerley seconds the motion. The motion was approved.
REPORTS
FIRE CHIEF:
Mike Mcleod was present to report on first Chuck Burns resigning his position on the fire Dept as well as the Assistant Fire Chief Justin Turner due to family issues. Mike reviewed the monthly report with the City Council.
LIBRARIAN:
Brenda Banks was not present.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
OPEN COUNCIL POSITION
Rob Lessen stated that there had been two Arma residents who submitted applications, but one pulled his. So, Rob introduced Robert Lauck to the City Council so that he could introduce himself. Following Robert's presentation, Rob recommended to the City Council to accept Mr. Lauck as the new Council member. Carma Burns made the motion to approve Bob Lauck as the new member of the City Council. Richard Kerley seconds the motion. The motion was approved. Bette Lessen then swore in Bob.
DR STREETER; TENNIS/PICKLE BALL COURT
Ray Streeter was present to inform the City Council about the most recent school board meeting on this topic. With the expense and other projects going on the board tabled their decision. Ray did state that he had spoken to another Superintendent who has worked with some maintenance folks who do work like this on the side and might be more reasonable. Ray will be speaking with them and getting back with the City Council later.
FULL TIME PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
Tom Gorman reported that working this person as a part-time employee still does not get us out of paying the KPERS side for the city so Jamie Setina said he would be happy to work part-time up to the 25,000.00. Gary Pommier made the motion to hire Jamie Setina as a part-time employee at $17.00 an hour with no benefits, up to $25,000.00. Howard Camp seconds the motion. The motion was approved.
OPEN BURNING REGULATIONS
All members of the City Council agreed that the current article on open burning is fine, no changes are needed.
EMPLOYEE EVALUATIONS
Tom Gorman stated that he had handed in his evaluations to the Council a month ago. The Police evaluations were handed out at the previous meeting. Tom Hayes recommended that the Council hold a Special Meeting to discuss the evaluations. Gary Pommier made the motion to add the Employee Evaluations topic to the Special Meeting on Jan. 23rd along with the Westland Acers development. Richard Kerley seconds the motion. The motion was approved. Carma Burns abstained from the vote. Motion was approved.
ORDINANCE 638, RAISING CHICKENS
Gary Pommier made the motion to approve Ordinance 638. Richard Kerley seconds the motion. The motion was approved. Bob Lauck abstained from the vote due to lack of information.
HOWARD CAMP; JOHN AUSTIN
Howard Camp stated that due to illness he was unable to attend the last meeting, but Howard stated that he felt John Austin should be hired as Arma's next Police Chief. With further discussion the Council felt they should wait until the Feb 6th meeting to manage this issue.
Richard Kerley made the motion to pay John Austin the Chief's salary and to begin this January 1st. Gary Pommier seconds the motion. The motion was approved.
201 W SOUTH ST. BIDS
Rob Stated that there was one bid received from Vilela Demolition. Council held further discussion on this matter. Carma Burns made the motion to have the Mayor and Bob Lauck investigate securing the house with this person who the mayor spoke with and to have them attend the Feb. 6th meeting. Richard Kerley seconds the motion. The motion was approved.
Richard Kerley made the motion to reject all bids on 201 W. South St. Gary Pommier seconds the motion. The motion was approved.
NEW BUSINESS
FRISBEE GOLF STATION
Tom Gorman presented prices on the frisbee gold equipment, with a total in cost for 9 holes at $4,000.00. Gary Pommier made the motion to accept the 3959.92 with Tom's approval. Howard Camp seconds the motion. The motion was approved. Tom Hayes stated that there is a company in Emporia that is one of the original companies in frisbee golf Tom might want to check with.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Gary Pommier was happy with the daily work of the city employees. Bob Lauck also stated his appreciation to the staff. Bob also asked about other properties that he has seen while driving around Arma. Bette Lessen stated that back when Buddy Bualle was Mayor the Council would hold a special meeting to discuss properties in Arma. Carma Burns continued the topic of housing in Arma. Richard Kerley brought up the desire to take care of business a little more quickly than tabling issues from one meeting to the next. Council agreed.
COMMUNICATIONS
None were presented.
PURCHASE REQUEST
Gary Pommier made the motion to allow all the requested materials that were requested. (6' Ripper box blade, $1,350.00) (Greenlee 24" Pulling Sheave, $946.96; Greenlee 3" conduit feeding sheave, $390.86) Richard Kerley seconds the motion. The motion was approved.
Bob Lauck made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Carma Burns seconds the motion. The motion was approved.
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Bette Lessen, City Clerk